Table 3 Comparison of the short-term symptoms and long-term sequelae between the study and control groups

Duration of postoperative vaginal bleeding (days)

0.039

≤3

9 (36)

5 (15.2)

4-7

9 (36)

8 (24.2)

8-14

7 (28)

20 (60.6)

Maximal postoperative vaginal bleeding (mL/day)

0.008

≤30

23 (92)

18 (54.5)

31-50

2 (8)

13 (39.4)

>50

0 (0)

2 (6.1)

Time for serum β-hCG to return to normal (days)

0.033

≤20

19 (76)

13 (39.4)

21-30

5 (20)

12 (36.4)

31-40

1 (4)

5 (15.2)

41-50

0 (0)

3 (9.1)

Duration of postoperative abdominal pain (days)

0.572

≤3

23 (92)

32 (97)

4-7

2 (8)

1 (3)

Postoperative chronic pain

0.035

No pain

24 (96)

25 (75.8)

Long-term dull abdominal pain or secondary dysmenorrhea

1 (4)

8 (24.2)

Duration of residual conceptus tissue at the scar site (months)^#

0.163

≤1

23 (92)

25 (78.1)

2-12

2 (8)

7 (21.9)

>12

0 (0)

0 (0)

Caesarean scar condition (under ultrasonography)^#

<0.001

Totally healed

24 (96)

8 (25.0)

With partial dehiscence or tissue indentation

1 (4)

22 (68.8)

With full-layer dehiscence or diverticulum formation

0 (0)

2 (6.2)

Postoperative menstruation^#

0.043

Returned to normal

23 (92)

20 (62.5)

Reduced menstrual flow

1 (4)

7 (21.9)

Increased or dripping menses

1 (4)

5 (15.6)